Replaceable Microtrenching Blade Teeth via Modular Cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microtrenching blades require significant downtime and costly repairs when teeth are broken or damaged, as the entire blade must be taken offline for replacement.
Innovation Solution
A tooth assembly design featuring a cartridge and tooth with a transverse hole system allows for quick replacement of worn teeth without removing welded features, using a pin to secure the tooth within the cartridge, enabling efficient repair without compromising stability or durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If teeth are welded to the blade, then the blade structure is simple and strong, but the downtime for repair is long and the repair cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The tooth assembly is segmented into modular components: the blade body, the cartridge (which houses the tooth), and the tooth itself. This segmentation allows the tooth to be independently replaced by simply detaching the cartridge from the blade, eliminating the need to replace the entire blade or perform complex welding repairs, thus significantly reducing downtime while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the entire blade is replaced when teeth are damaged, then the blade reliability is maintained, but the repair cost increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The damaged tooth is extracted from the blade system by removing the cartridge, which contains the tooth. This extraction allows replacement of only the worn component (tooth via cartridge) rather than the entire blade assembly, thereby maintaining blade reliability while preserving productivity by minimizing repair time and material waste.
3Device complexity
If traditional tooth replacement methods are used, then the blade structure remains simple, but the ease of repair is poor and time consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The tooth replacement system transitions from a static welded structure to a dynamic, easily adjustable configuration. The cartridge is designed with features (such as engagement slots or quick-release mechanisms) that allow rapid attachment and detachment from the blade, enabling flexible and efficient tooth replacement without compromising the overall simplicity of the blade structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A replaceable tooth assembly. A number of tooth assemblies are provided round the periphery of a microtrenching blade. The assemblies include a cartridge, usually welded to the periphery of the microtrenching blade, and a tooth, which has a projection or flange shaped to fit within a cavity formed in the cartridge. The cartridge and projection each have a transverse hole formed in them, which, when aligned, form a continuous passage for placement of a removable pin which is used to join the cartridge to the tooth body. The cartridge may also have a more radially-aligned channel which intersects the cavity, which a rubber shim may be placed in. Such a shim reduces the relative vibration between the tooth and cartridge, improving life and reducing wear.